"Curves Like Mine" is a deeply empowering and beautifully illustrated book that celebrates self-love and acceptance, especially for children who may feel different due to their size or appearance.

As a plus-size woman who has faced the challenges of growing up feeling judged and misunderstood, I resonated deeply with the themes explored in this book. Diggs masterfully captures the emotions of bullying, self-doubt, and the journey towards self-love with sensitivity and authenticity.

The story follows a young girl navigating the complexities of being curvier than her peers, grappling with feelings of inadequacy and longing for acceptance. Through the unwavering support of her family, she learns to embrace her uniqueness and celebrate her curves with confidence.

One of the most powerful aspects of "Curves Like Mine" is its portrayal of familial love and support as a catalyst for self-acceptance. The bond between the protagonist and her family members serves as a source of strength and reassurance, reminding readers that they are worthy of love and respect just as they are.

While the book primarily focuses on the experiences of plus-sized girls, I couldn't help but wish for more representation of plus-sized boys as well. Additionally, incorporating scenes of diverse body types among the student body would have added to the book's impact, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and inclusivity.

Nevertheless, the story's message of embracing one's uniqueness and finding beauty from within shines brightly through its heartfelt narrative and stunning illustrations. "Curves Like Mine" serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for children of all sizes, reminding them that they are perfect just the way they are.

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

An original and uplifting book for children!

I enjoyed the rhyming and message in this book. The illustrations are nice with bright colors. It is always good to teach self-love to children early on, chubby or not. If your kid is a little pudgy, then this would be a helpful and thoughtful gift!

A book of empowerment and self love!

Something I wholeheartedly applaud, a lovely, empowering and positive book! This book focuses on a child embracing themselves and shines the light onto body positivity which I really think is a good step for children aged 5+ to find acceptance in themselves especially as there is already such negativity surrounding apps that encourage filters and then of course social media platforms too, children obviously see these and learn from us, we all know adults can be so cruel and this doesn't so this book really encouraging.

I thought that the art work was pretty nice as well and the style and structure of the book just really helped it flow!

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this free ARC in return for my review, thoroughly enjoyed this book and will recommend it!

This is a wonderful book for all kids because not everyone looks the same and kids need to know and understand that it's okay if you don't look like everyone else around you.

First off, thank you to #CurvesLikeMine #NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this.

I feel like there could have been a lot more information given, and items addressed. I would personally use different wording when addressing some of these things, but everybody is different. Either way, it’s important for more books like this to be made.

I am an Early Childhood Educator and would be willing to add this to my classroom collection. I think the children would like reading this.

'Curves Like Mine' focuses on a young girl finding beauty, and acceptance in her body image.

I really enjoyed reading this book. As a trainee teacher I believe it would be a really insightful book for pupils ages 6 and under, but also useful for older pupils as topics such as body image, acceptance, and beauty can be discussed from hooking pupils in with this story.

Rated: 4 stars

Thank you to netgallery for allowing me to read this truly beautiful story.

I absolutely love Curves Like Mine by Krystaelynne Sanders Diggs! It’s a sweet mother-daughter story about where true beauty comes from. The illustrations are beautiful. I highly recommend this book! I think this book would be perfect for any type of story time, but especially for a mother-daughter time. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. (My review is also on Goodreads.)

This book made my son tear up as I read it to him. Every kid needs to hear the message that they are worthy and loved no matter what. Thank you for this story.

I love the message in this beautiful book! And I seriously think we need more books like this as the body is getting crazier each day on social media. I love the colour palette and the illustrations. Great work.

It's a beautiful book, but I can't help but feel that it's missing something. I think it's that the mom didn't really address her daughter's concerns or questions except to say 'you're beautiful' and 'don't let them make you sad' type things. Like she asked about her body and you talk about how her soul is beautiful? Not exactly the topic. Don't get me wrong, we NEED books like this talking about acceptance of bigger bodies, but we also need to not fall into other (still fatphobic) traps. <b> I would have liked to have seen something addressing and confronting the fatphobia she faces and not just putting it down to needing to love herself more. </b>

Also this idea that you're the only one in your school and family who isn't super thin is... pretty rare.

Ok so apparently I'm not done. Y'all know I'm super critical of kids books. The messages they send are just so important! They can shape generations!

When she says "Why me?" and "How did I get this way?" it would have been a great time to discuss how all bodies are different but they're all good bodies and to actually develop a positive relationship with her body! Telling her she's beautiful is really besides the point. Curvy and fat bodies are beautiful 100%, but your value does not lie in beauty. You don't need to be beautiful to deserve respect and kindness.

Then we have this bathroom scene that basically invalidates the beauty thing anyway? Like this book said 'your curves are beautiful' and then immediately went into 'true beauty isn't only what you see.' Technically true, but didn't you just say her outside **was** beautiful? It is. Yes, personality shining through will help, but that isn't what you were just saying.

Then the back cover. Just. It belies the confusion this writer is clearly feeling.
"True beauty comes from within, it's your mindset that makes you win"
"Curves Like Mine is a journey to self love and acceptance through positive affirmation."

<b>I am begging y'all to work through your internalized fatphobia. All bodies are good bodies. </b> This book feels like that thing where someone says "you're not fat, you're beautiful" but YOU CAN BE BOTH.

<b>Anyway, I appreciate the intention, but I wish they had worked on this more to make sure they weren't still perpetuating harmful ideas / vibes here. </b>

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with this temporary digital advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Couldn't be that true beauty isn't only what you see?.

I wish I could read a book like this when I was growing up.

A message for self-love, confidence and self trust.
This is a little book but full of beautiful images and important messages for young girls but also for the adults. I absolutely adored it!

5☆ An Empowering and Uplifting Picture Book that encourages self love.

Curves Like Mine is a beautiful children's book I wish was around when I was growing up. As I was that child and still am as an adult with curves. Children can be so cruel when things appear different to them.

This picture books shines a much needed light that it's ok to be different and to embrace yourself, it promotes body positivity and self love. By gosh we all need some self love right now with everything that's going on with the pandemic!

I think it doesn't matter how old you are body image can start very very young. So it's so so important to teach children to embrace their differences at a very young age.
It's not OK to bully or make fun of people and unfortunately it does start from a young age so I think this little book is a wonderful starting point to show children that we need to be kind and thoughtful to each other.

It also can help parents, as the Mum in the book was teaching her daughter how to be more accepting of her body and how beauty isn't just what's on the outside, beauty also comes from within.

As you can see I highly recommend this empowering children's picture book for ages 3+

Reviewing via advanced copy from NetGalley:

This book has an amazing message that I needed as a child. It's so important to be told that you are beautiful and your curves are okay. The illustrations are so cute and make it an easy read.

As an educator, however, there are a few pages that have too many words for a child, but overall great book and great message.

I am not a huge fan of children's books, but this one was lovely. I have always been towards the thinner side, and I have faced lots of body shaming in that sense. But this book opened me up on what plump kids have to face. It is a simple story with lessons on positivity, acceptance, tolerance, and self talk. I quite loved the way the words rhymed (I really enjoyed that as a kid.) Another part that I loved is how people accept you once you start loving yourself. The illustrations by Sofi Butusov were memorable and colorful. I think this book will be appealing to children.

A cute and short book for kids about a young girl learning to be comfortable and love her body the way it is, curves and all.

Not only did this book feature children with different bodies but it also included children of different backgrounds. I'm glad representation and conversations are expanding in books, especially in books for younger age groups. They'll have places to see themselves in from the beginning and constant reminders to love themselves and those around them.

Thank you to the author, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc to review.

This book is so important and so special, every little girl should read this and know that they are perfect no matter how they look. Its such a wonderful book and It’s so special to read about a little girl learning to love herself.

This is a great little book with a message about loving yourself. This is a children’s book that tackles lifelong issues. This is a great starter for further discussions. Cute illustrations. Recommended!

Thank you, net galley for the arc. This book was beautifully illustrated and the message is wonderful for not only the younger crowd but a sentiment for the older generation still struggling.

Mothers and older women be this understanding when it comes to reassuring the younger ones to be who they are. We are the ones who should not criticize them for their appearance and not encourage others to do the same. An uplifting read and a must have in schools and at homes.

Thank you, author and the publisher, for the advance reading copy.

What a good message of self-love and confidence! Cute art, a good length and message, and an endearing character. Good all around.